San Francisco Brachioplasty Surgery

arm workouts

Dr. Kenneth Bermudez, MDhas many years’ experience performing plastic surgery in San Francisco. Over the course of his career, Dr. Bermudez has come to realize that loose skin on the upper arms often causes embarrassment, low self-esteem, and other psychological issues. This is why he is dedicated to helping his San Francisco arm lift patients achieve a beautifully sculpted, youthful arm appearance. To learn more about arm lift surgery, please explore the information below.

Arm Lift

An arm lift, or Brachioplasty, is performed to reduce excess fat on the arms and tighten the skin for a more contoured appearance. You may be an arm lift San Francisco candidate if you have a significant amount of fat and saggy skin on your upper arms. The excess fat and skin tissue can be the result of various causes, including:

  • Aging

  • Massive weight loss

  • Certain medical conditions

While exercise might help improve the tone of the underlying muscles, no amount of arm exercise will make the fatty deposits and redundant skin tissues disappear. In order to remove the excess skin and fat, arm lift surgery is necessary.

The Procedure

The arm lift procedure is performed with the patient under general anesthesia and takes about one to three hours to complete. During arm lift surgery, Dr. Kenneth Bermudez, MD makes an incision from the armpit to the elbow and removes the fat. Then he sculpts the area to create a more youthful look. The scar from the incision is very discreet, and Dr. Bermudez will work to make it as light as possible. Dr. Bermudez has extensive experience performing this procedure, and he has helped numerous men and women with flabby upper arms attain a more sculpted and youthful upper arm appearance.

Recovery

Following the arm lift procedure, the patient will experience soreness, bruising and swelling. Dr. Bermudez will prescribe pain medications to relieve the pain. The swelling will begin to subside after a few days and should be completely resolved by two weeks following surgery, at which time the patient can return to work. Vigorous exercise should be avoided for one month.

Risks

All surgical procedures carry risks, and arm lift is no exception. However, Dr. Kenneth Bermudez, MDis a skilled surgeon with an excellent track record of safe surgical procedures with impressive outcomes. Some of the risks of an arm lift include:

  • Infection

  • Bleeding

  • Anesthesia complications

  • Swelling of the hands

  • Scarring

  • Loss of sensitivity

To prevent complications, it is important to be fully informed about all risks and to follow all postoperative care instructions provided by Dr. Bermudez. Be sure to ask about risks and complications at your initial consultation Dr. Bermudez.

Benefits

The arm lift is a commonly requested procedure that can help patients refine the appearance of their arms, adding a youthful look to their upper body. Some of the benefits of an arm lift include:

  • Youthful, toned upper arm appearance

  • Confidence to wear arm-exposing attire

  • Increased self-esteem

  • Removal of stubborn fatty deposits

  • Elimination of excess, baggy skin

Many patients seeking arm lift have excess skin tissue in other body areas as well. To achieve a harmonious look, Dr. Kenneth Bermudez might recommend that these patients combine Brachioplasty with other body contouring procedures, such as a lower body lift and thigh lift in San Francisco. Individuals who are seeking arm lift after massive weight loss sometimes decide to undergo Brachioplasty as part of the comprehensive post-bariatric body contouring treatment. This treatment consists of several procedures carefully customized to help each post-weight loss surgery patient achieve his or her best possible appearance.

arm work out

Arm Lift FAQs

What kind of anesthesia is used for arm lift surgery?

Dr. Bermudez performs arm lift surgery, or Brachioplasty, with the patient under general anesthesia. To learn more about the arm lift procedure and to discuss anesthesia and other details, schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Bermudez. During your private consultation, you can ask questions, share any concerns, and discuss surgery goals with him.

How long does arm lift surgery take to perform?

Depending on the patient’s individual surgery needs, the arm lift procedure typically takes between 1-3 hours to complete.

Is arm lift surgery painful?

Since the procedure is performed with the patient under general anesthesia, there should be no discomfort. Arm lift surgery patients may experience some mild discomfort the first few days after surgery, but this can be resolved with over-the-counter medication or doctor-prescribed pain medication.

What is arm lift surgery recovery like?

The arm lift recovery period typically lasts 1-2 weeks, with the first few days where the patient will experience swelling, soreness, and possibly some bruising. Patients should refrain from exercise and other vigorous activities for 4-6 weeks after surgery. They can typically return to work after two weeks, though they should avoid lifting anything over 10lbs for six weeks. Dr. Bermudez will go over these and other post-operative instructions with you during your pre-surgery consultation.

Does arm lift surgery leave scars?

Every surgical procedure that involves incisions is going to result in scars. However, Dr. Bermudez uses very small incisions placed in hidden areas (on the undersides of the arms) so that they are not as noticeable. These scars will fade with time with the right scar management routine so that they are barely, if at all, noticeable.

How long will my arm lift surgery results last?

The results of arm lift surgery—slimmer, sleeker arms—are long-lasting. However, aging and dramatic weight fluctuations will both have an effect on your results over time.

Will arm lift surgery make my arms look toned?

Arm lift surgery removes excess, sagging skin from the upper arm but does nothing to the underlying muscles. As a result, though your arms will look slimmer and smoother, they won’t have that same, toned look achieved by muscle toning exercises.

Will I get the same results with liposuction as with arm lift surgery?

The two surgeries—liposuction and arm lift—are used to address different needs. Liposuction is used to remove excess fat from patients who have good skin elasticity, allowing their skin to recover and “snap back” like a rubber band, so to speak. Arm lift surgery, on the other hand, is for patients with excess sagging skin and fat; this procedure removes the extra skin and fat and reshapes the area for a sleeker appearance. While liposuction can sometimes be used in conjunction with an arm lift procedure, liposuction alone can’t address the same needs as arm lift surgery.

How much does arm lift surgery cost

The cost of arm lift surgery can vary, but is typically between $11,600.

What should I keep in mind when looking for an arm lift surgeon near me?

When looking for an arm lift surgeon, it is important to choose someone who, like Dr. Bermudez, has a reputation for natural-looking results. This is a result of his specialized training and years of experience with a variety of plastic and reconstructive procedures. As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Bermudez has been deemed by the American Board of Plastic Surgery to meet the highest standards and practices when it comes to patient care and surgical safety.

Do you have arm lift before and after photos

We do! Check out our arm lift patient photo gallery.

Contact Our Practice Today

If you would like to learn more about arm lift or any other procedure performed by Dr. Kenneth Bermudez, please contact his offices by clicking here. In addition to being renowned as a skilled arm lift surgeon, Dr. Bermudez has earned a reputation as an excellent San Francisco liposuction and mommy makeover surgeon. Ask Dr. Bermudez whether these procedures are for you and whether they can be performed in conjunction with an arm lift to achieve a harmonious overall appearance.